An Englishman in Copenhagen
The New York Times has delved into the debate on Pownce. I still quite can’t figure out if it’s a genuinely useful service or just another way of wasting my life.
Anyway, they sent me a bunch of new invites the other day. If anyone wants one, just drop me a mail or leave me a comment.
Melancholy has often been close at hand, tangible, as real as the face in the mirror.
But things change. Where once sadness would took root, spread like ivy, grasping, clinging – now its blooms flower briefly, wither and die.
I have little to complain of, and so much that is good. I have love and friendship, health, beautiful memories, and the hope of more.
If I have optimism, it has been hard won.
Though my struggle, such as it has been, was nothing compared to that of Alice Herz-Sommer. I hope you read her story.
Incidentally, I found the link over at Medway Exiles. It’s my favourite blog, even if Tim doesn’t post as much as he should. 
The shit is really gonna hit the fan here . . .
Dane Michael Rasmussen had been leading the Tour de France for the past 10 days and was basically set to win the whole event.
But suspicions that he has been cheating had been growing and it seems that for one reason or another, his team felt those suspicions left them with little choice but to sack him.
It’s difficult to convey to readers back home how deeply ingrained cycling in all its forms is in the national psyche here.
Also, Denmark’s comparatively small size leads to a situation where individuals who make an impact on the world stage – either sporting or cultural – achieve almost God-like status here.
Danish cultural mores mean that those individuals, such as Rasmussen, are not viewed as superior or intrinsically more worthy than anyone else, but are instead celebrated for demonstrating Danish excellence abroad.
Rasmussen would not have been a popular winner of le Tour, but the Chicken, as he is known here, would nevertheless have struck a blow on the global stage for his compatriots.
Denmark is one big family. This will hit them hard.
Pretty cool name for a band whose members are two skinny Swedish boys who wear vests.
There’s a bit of an Animal Collective vibe to this – it’s summer if it ever stopped effing raining.
Found at the awesome Gorilla Vs Bear.
As some of you may have seen, I contribute to the photographic blog Copenhagen girls on bikes.
In recent weeks, some friends have questioned whether what I am doing is ethically sound and I would be interested to gain some more perspectives.
Have a look at the blog and let me know your thoughts.
In researching street photography techniques, I came across this thread on Flickr which raises some interesting points. It seems that the majority of photographers on there feel that asking for permission first makes it impossible to get truly candid shots.
Me? I just shoot, shoot, shoot. Deal with questions later. Or in my case, ride off fast.
Incidentally, while roaming round the Flickr universe I came across the work of Gary Isaac. Check it out, you won’t regret it.
This is very funny, ‘one man’s heroic struggle to rebuild his Flickr album’ . . .
You’ve probably heard of or seen or will see the show Heroes.
It’s alright, in a kind of empty-headed i’ve got nothing else to do and I’m into comics and shit kind of way. There is this track in the second or third episode which is kind of cool anyway.
And here it is. . .
Went to see this guy play at 12 Tonar yesterday.
He was a bit scratchy at first but he got into the swing of things after a while.
Incidentally, if you haven’t been, 12 Tonar is the best place I’ve found for picking up indie CDs and vinyl. Not that I buy vinyl. Or CDs. But you should.
They have live music instore most Fridays and they give away free wine. Super!
I have four Pownce invites left – the first four who mail or leave a comment can have one.
That’s the thing with these kind of info-sharing and networking sites – they’re only any good if you actually have friends on them!
